Large Scale Central

Cat 60's

General Discussion
#1

Here is a video that my BiL just shot at the Phillips Mill family reunion.
At each reunion they get one of the old pieces of equipment running for the enjoyment of family and friends. We were lucky enough to be invited to a few of these but we are to far away now. Most of these old pieces of equipment have been at the mill sense they were new.

This is the prototype that i built my models from back about 2012, here is a shot of one of my Cat 60’s in 1:20 scale.

DSCN4838
DSCN48381920×1440 442 KB

Anyway on to the video of the 60 in operation.

2 Likes
#2

Greg also got the 1906 Best out and was giving rides to family and friends.

I have always wanted to build a model of this beast but look closely at those wheels, just too intimidating.

#3

That’s when you have Cliff or someone else design and print them for you. :joy:

#4

That would be a fun challenge. Hm… maybe I’ll go home and do that instead of chores…

#5

What a beast!! The people on the top look tiny!

#6

Come on Rick …just start with some 1/10 scale detail parts. That’s about a 2.5" by my calculations and a good start. Set of 4 wheels and if you only use 2 and don’t mess up the other two you could put the other 2 in your junk box for the next Mik?
https://www.towerhobbies.com/product/chrome-26in-wire-wheel-and-tire-set-110-redcat-lowrider/RER19792.html

#7

Nice looking wheels but I’m afraid they would make that1906 Best look like some kind of Low Rider or is that what you had in mind? :grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

#8

Rick, I’ve found a few other references in case that helps. Maybe Rooster can find better photos or catalogs.

Here’s a (blurry) side view. From the catalog and other docs, the main wheels are 8’ diameter.

image

This catalog gives various specs.

A few other references…

A Steam Tractor at Washington Creek - Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)

Three children next to a Best steam tractor engine · heritage

Best and Case Traction Engines - YouTube

https://www.researchgate.net/figure/The-100-hp-Best-steam-tractor-pulling-a-section-of-the-second-generation-cement-kilns_fig6_339536653

#9

In 1:20.3, those wheels would be 4.73" dia, wow!

#10

Cliff, Yea WOW is a good description of those wheels. Have you counted the spokes?

Thanks for the research, some good information there.

As a point of interest, the video above named Best and Case Traction Engines was made by my BIL at a Phillips family reunion picnic about 14 years ago. the wife and I are in the video at a couple spots.

#11

No, I just count rivets. :grin:

Just kidding, looks to me like 48 per wheel.

#12

Folks;

Talk about a riveting answer! Seriously though, a friend at church told me that his summertime job during college years was heating rivets red hot at the Monon RR freight car shops (Frankfurt, IN) and tossing them to the car repair men. (Not only did he have to count his rivets, he had to be sure not to touch them once they were heated!)

Regards, David Meashey

#13

A rough model, using 40" wide x 8’ dia (per the catalog) at 1/20.3; 3/64" dia brass rods.

image
image795×797 133 KB

#14

OK, somebody has to say it: Cliff, you’ve got too much time on your hands.
You get done in one hour what takes me a week!

#15

Actually I was kinda trying to think outside the box and easy. However them wheels ain’t big enough according to Cliff the history geeks findings! So now I would say go 1:24 and start with 4" pvc pipe!
:grinning_face_with_smiling_eyes:

#16

It is, looked at and counted at lunch today at work.

He could actually call it an “Old Order Amish” tractor and eliminate the wheel treads.

However if he went “New Order Mennonite” he would be allowed rubber tread if it was inflatable as the air creates a worldly barrier between the tractor and the ground.

#17

Naah, with the rain he has, he should go with the flotation wheels.

image
image720×515 62.5 KB

1 Like
#18

Just going from memory here on research done years ago, I believe that was Holt’s answer to the problems in cultivating the rice fields in California’s Central Valley.